Washington State Opportunity Zone Conference

The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco and the Washington State Department of Commerce are hosting a special statewide convening of Opportunity Zone stakeholders on November 15, 2018 in Seattle.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Opportunity Zone community leaders, developers, investors, project sponsors, finance and accounting professionals, foundations, and other philanthropic investors focused on Opportunity Zone communities are invited to attend this event.

EVENT
Join business and community leaders to learn more about the Opportunity Zone initiative and gain practical advice and the latest information on how to use this new tax incentive to invest in rural, urban, and Tribal communities. Learn from impact investors, philanthropists, government representatives, financial advisors, and other Opportunity Zone experts throughout the day. Participants will have the opportunity to work together to engage, inform, and influence key projects in shaping the future of Washington State through investing in local communities with thoughtful leadership and empowering, innovative projects. Those with Opportunity Zone projects will also be able to join a Pitch Fest to discuss their ideas with investors, advisors, philanthropy, and federal or government agencies.

PANELS
In addition to the Pitch Fest opportunity, you’ll hear from panels of community leaders, investors, developers, impact investment advisors, project financing and accounting professionals, foundations and other philanthropic investors will present on the topics of:

• The latest news about Opportunity Zones
• Opportunities provided by private investors
• How banks and lenders fit in
• A role for philanthropy
• Leveraging government programs
• Projects for community good

BACKGROUND
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The Opportunity Zone program was included in that Act, which was designed to provide tax incentives to investors who fund businesses in underserved communities. Investors are able to defer paying taxes on capital gains that are invested in Qualified Opportunity Funds that in turn are invested in distressed communities designated as Opportunity Zones by each state.

COST
$100. There are a limited number of scholarships available to defray the cost of attendance, travel, and lodging. Please contact Sarah Lee (sarah.lee@commerce.wa.gov).

EVENT CONTACTS
Melissa LaFayette
National Development Council
(509) 860-4599
mlafayette@ndconline.org

Craig Nolte
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco
(206) 396-2192
craig.nolte@sf.frb.org

Sarah Lee
Washington State Department of Commerce
(206) 898-2025
sarah.lee@commerce.wa.gov

AVAILABILITY
Space is limited, we may only be able to accommodate one community representative per Opportunity Zone census tract. Please contact Sarah Lee with any questions (sarah.lee@commerce.wa.gov).